Microlapping machine



Feb. 4, 1941.

H. s. INDGE MICROLAPPING MACHINE VFiled July 29, 1959 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 HEHHEH 75 [N055 Feb. 4,1941.` l

"H, s, INDGE 2,230,953 MICROLAPHNG MACHINE s sheets-sheets Filed July 29, 1939 Hfs-REEF( T 5 f/VUEE www Patented Feb. 4, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT oEFIcE 2,230,953 d MICROLAPPING MACHINE Herbert S. Indge, Westboro, Mass., assigner to Norton Company, Worcester, Mass., alcorporation of Massachusetts Appuction July 29, 1939, serian No. 287,339

- 8 Claims.

head in which either a cylindrical or plane surface of a work piece may be rapidly finished with a surface of extremely high quality. Another object of the invention is to provide a microlapplng head which may be utilized as an attachment for a cylindrical grinding machine wherein a cylindrical work piece may be rlrst ground and then microlapped after the grinding operation has been completed. Another object of the invention is to provide a microlapping head for cylindrical or plane surface work pieces in which an end ilat face of anl abrasive-:wheel which is rotated slowly and revolved rapidly is utilized to microlap the surface of the work piece. A further object of the invention is to provide a microlapplng head which is motor driven and in which the motor is drivingly connected to rotate the wheel spindle at a relatively slow speed I and to revolve said spindle by means of an eccentric quill or sleeve rotated at a relatively fast speed. 'Other objects will bein part obvious or in part pointed out hereinafter. f

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combinations of elements,

and arrangements of parts, as will be exemplified f in the structure to be hereinafter described, and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the following claims. y

In the accompanying drawings, inl which is shown one of various possible embodiments of the mechanical features of this invention,

Fig. 1 is a front elevation having parts broken away and shown'in section, of themicrolapplng head' shown as applied to a cylindrical grinding machine;

Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view, on an enlarged scale, taken approximatelyon the line 2-2 of Fig. l, showing the supporting slide for the lapping head and the cylinder and piston for moving the head to and from an operating position;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken approximately on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, showing the hydraulic piston and cylinder mechanlsm for positioning the microlapplng head;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section, on an enlarged scale, of a modified construction, showing a 'modification of the drive for the wheel spindle;

Fig. 5 'is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken approximately on the line 5-5 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view ofa modified construction, 'showing a second modification of the wheel spindle driving orV actuating mechanism; i A

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken approximately on the line 1-1 of Fig. 6;

Fig'. 8 is a diagrammatic view showing the application of the microlapplng head to a machine for producing a'plane surface; and

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view of the fluid pressure control mechanism for vmoving the head to and from an operative position. The improved microlapplng head lustrated as applied to a cylindrical grinding machine of the type shown in the prior U. S. Patent No. 2,071,677 to Wallace H. Wood dated February4 23, 1937. `This"patenttabove referred to` shows a` common hydraulically operated cylindrical type grinding machine having a base, a longitudinally movable work table slidably mounted thereon which serves as a rotatable support for a work piece and is also provided with a transversely movable wheel slide which supports a rotatable grinding wheel which is movable transversely toward and from the work sup- 'port to `grind a work piece to the required size. All,of these elements, being common, well known parts of a standard cylindrical grinding machine, have not been illustrated in the present case since they are not considered to be a part of the present invention.

As illustrated in the drawings, a rotatable work piece I is suported on a headstock center `Il and a footstock center l2. The centers Il and l2 are in turn respectively supported by a headstock and a footstock (not shown) each of which l is in turn mounted on a longitudinally traversable work supporting table (not shown). A transversely movable grinding wheel slide l rotatably supports a grinding wheel spindle I6 which serves as a support for a grinding wheel I1.

has been ili The work piece lil is mounted on centers and piece-I0 may be micro-finished after a grinding' operation has been completed and without removing the work piece'from the machine.

The 'microlapping head is preferably supported in fixed relationship with the grinding wheel l1 5 and in the preferred construction is supported on the wheel slide |5. A bracket is xedly mounted on the upper surface ofy the wheel slide I5. The bracket 2871s provided witha dovetailed slideway 2| (Fig. l) which serves as a support for a horizontally movable slide 22. The slide 22 is also provided with a dovetailed way which mates with the way 2|. slide 22 is provided with a rectangularly shaped end surface23 which serves as a support for a. l5 bracket 24. The bracket 24 is rigidlysecured thereto by means of bolts 25 and 26.

The bracket'24 serves as a support for an adjustably mounted frame 38. The frame 38 is provided withl'a vertically arranged dovetailed slideway 3| which serves as a support for a vertically slidable microlapping head 32. The head 32 is'provided with a' dovetailed slideway which mates with the slideway 3|. (Fig. v2)

The microlapping head- 32 is provided with a rotatable hollow sleeve 35. The sleeve 35 is providedw'lth eccentrically mounted bearings 36 and 31 within 'its central aperture which serve as a rotatable support for a yrotatable rwheel spindle 38. The wheel spindle 38 is provided at its lower end with a bonded abrasive lapping `wheel39 which is arranged to present an end at face for micro-lapping or finishing the work piece I8.

It is desirable'that the axis of the wheel spindle 38 be adjustable so that it may be positioned so that the diametrically opposite sides of the wheel 39 bear uniformly upon the surface to be lapped. In the preferred construction the frame 38 is pivotally mounted on the bracket 24. A stud 40 having an enlarged head 4| passes through a hole in the frame 38 and -is screw threaded' into the bracket 24. The other end of the frame 30 is provided with an arcuate shaped elongated slot 42 through which a clamping bolt 44 passes. The bolt 44 passes through the elongated slot 43 and is screw threaded into the bracket 24. To facilitate adjustment of the frame.- 30, a pair of opposed adjusting screws 45 and 46 are screw threaded into the upper and lower portions of the bracket 24. The adjusting screws 45-and 46 are arranged to engage an enlarged end portion 41 of the frame 30. By slacking-oil' on the clamping screw 44 and then adjusting the screws 45 and 46 as push and lpull screws, the frame, 38 may be ad- ,ju'sted about its supporting pivot 40 to position the axis of the grinding wheel spindle 38 as desired, After the spindle 38 has been adjusted into the desired operating position, the clamping screw 44 may then be locked to clamp the frame 30 Bxedly to the bracket 24 to maintain the spindle 38 and its supporting parts in the desired operating position.

In the preferred construction, the transversely movable horizontal slide 22 serves to adjust the position of the microlapping head transversely so that the axis of the rotatable sleeve may be positioned relative to the work axis as desired. To facilitate transverse adjustment of the slide 2|, a pinion 48 is formed at the end of a stud 49 which is in turn rotatably supported by the slide 22. The pinion 48 meshes with a rack bar 49 which is xedly mounted on the bracket 28. 'I'he slide 22 may be locked in adjusted position by 75 means of clamping screws 58 which lock the Slide The forward kend of the sleeve 35.

bearings 33 and 34 whichV serve as a support for adjusting screw 83.

22 in adjusted position on the dovetailed slideway 2| of the bracket 20.

In order to produce a highly refined or microlapped inish on a work piece (either cylindrical or flat), it is desirable to provide a slowrotary 5 movement and a rapid planetary 'or oscillating movement of vthe lapping wheel 39 so that any ygrain markings or irregularities or scratches produced by the grinding operation will be removed during the micro-lapping or finished operation. 10 A driving mechanism is provided to produce the desired rotary and planetary movement of the lapping wheel 39. An enlarged casing 68 is xedly mounted on the upper portion of the vertically movable head 32. An electric motor 6| is sup'- 1 5 Vported by the casing 60 with its shaft 62 extending in a substantially vertical direction. The motor shaft.62 is provided with a V-grooved pulley 63 which is connected by means of a V- belt 64 with a V-grooved pulley .65 which is mounted on the outer peripheral surface ofthe 'I'he pulley 63 is of relatively small diameter and the pulley 65 of relatively large diameter, so that the sleeve 35 is rotated at a slower speed than the motorshaft V62 but at a comparatively fast rate of speed to produce a comparatively fast planetary movement of the wheel 39.

The motor 6I is yalso 'arranged to drivingly rotate the wheel spindle 38. A pulley 61 is also mounted on the motor shaft 62. This pulley 61 is also a v-grooved pulley"which is connected by means of a V-belt 68 with a' pulley 69. The pulley 69 ismounted on the driving shaft 18 of a speed reduction unit 1i. The speed reduction unit 1| 35 may be any standard speed reducing' unit, such as are common, well known devices in the machine tool art. In the preferred construction, the

unit illustrated is known yto the trade as the" Heliocentric speed reducing unit, manufactured by Universal Gear Corporation, Indianapolis, In-

diana. The speed reducing unit 1| is provided with a driven shaft 12 on which is mounted a multi-step V-grooved pulley 1 which is drivingly connected by means of a V-be t '|4 with a multi- 45 step V-grooved pulley 15. The V-grooved pulley 15 is rotatably supportedv by .an anti-friction. bearing 16 which is mounted on a reduced portion of the sleeve 35 which is concentric with the axis of the wheel spindle 38. The pulley 'l5 is slidably keyed by means of a key 11 to the wheel spindle 38. By utilizing this bearing construction for supporting the driving pulley for the.

spindle 38, the spindle is free for an endwis'e adjustment or movement in an axial direction. By means of the speed reduction unit 1|, the motor 6| which drives the sleeve 35 at a relatively rapid speed, rotates the wheel spindle 38 at a comparatively slow speed so that the abrasive wheel or microlapping wheel 39 is caused to rotate at a relatively slow speed while it vis moved in a planetary or orbital motion at a`` comparatively rapid lrate of speed.

A yieldable adjustable pressure device is provided for regulating the pressure of the wheel 39 65 while in operative contact with the work |8 to be nished. 'I'he upper end of the wheel spindle 38 supports an anti-friction bearing 18 which in turn serves as a support for a cap 19.` A cornpressing spring 88 is interposed between astud 8| fixedlvmounted on the cap 19 and a stud 82 which is xedly mounted on the lower end of an The adjusting screw 83 is screw threaded into an upwardly projecting housfing 84 which is flxedly mounted relative to the 75 and from an operative position, a hydraulic lift is provided comprising a hydraulic cylinder 90 which is preferably formed integral with the -microlapping headframe 30. A piston 9| is slidably mounted within the cylinder 90. It is desirable to provide a yieldable connection between the frame 30 and the piston 9| so that in case any obstruction is in the path of the wheel 39, the parts will yield and prevent misallgnment or breakage of thejparts. A piston 9| is provided with an integral sleeve 92 which is slidably mounted in an aperture 93 formed in the upper head of the cylinder 90. A rod 94 is iixedly. attached to the frame 60 at its upper end and is slidably mounted within an -aperture 95 in the sleeve 92. Arcompression spring. 96 surrounds the lower reduced end portion91 of the rod 94 and is interposed between a collar 98 within the sleeve 92 and a collar 99 which is screw threaded onto the reduced screw threaded end |00 of the rod 94. It will be readily apparent from the foregoing disclosure that if any ob- 'struction occurs in the path of the housing or casing 60 on its downward movement, the spring ..96 will be compressed and thus prevent the fluid pressure from being directly applied to 4spring the parts or break the same. The spring 96 also serves, as above described, as a yieldable member in case there happens to be any obstruction in the path of the microlappingwheel 39.

It is desirable to provide a positive stop to' limit the downward movement of the lapping or finishing head 32. This is preferably accomplished by providing a stop to limit the downward movement of the piston 9|. The lower cylinder head |0| is provided with a downwardly extending boss |02 which serves asa support for a slidably mounted stop rod |03, the upper end of which isI arranged to engage the lower surface of a plug |04 which is screwthreaded into and iixedly mounted relative to the piston 9|. An adjusting screw |05 is screw threaded into the aperture within the boss |02 and serves to facilitate adjustment of the stop rodl |03 as desired.` A lock nut |06 is provided so .that the stop screw |05 may be locked in a predetermined adjusted position. In the position of the parts as illustrated in Fig. 3, the stop rod |03 is shown as positioned in its extreme downward position with the plug |04 of the piston 9| engaging not only the end of the stop rod |03 but also the end face of the cylinder cap`|0'|. If it is desired to stop the wheel 39 before it reaches this position, the adjusting screw |05 may be readily turned to raise the stop rod |03 to limit the position of the piston 9| so as to position the wheel 39 as desired for a finishing operation.

A modified driving mechanism has been illustrated in Fig. 4' for controlling the rotation of the wheel spindle 30. Instead of having a positive driving mechanism therefor, a creeping action is obtained by mounting a gear ||0 to rotate on the anti-friction bearing 16. The gear ||0 is keyed to the spindle 38 by means of a key 4The gear ||0 is arranged to mesh with a stationary internal gear ||2 which is supported by and fixedly mounted relative to the frame 60. The internal gear ||2 is of the proper size to allow the gear ||0 to be revolved with the sleeve 35 so that it is in continuous me'sh with a portion of the gear ||2 as the sleeve 35 rotates. The gear ||0 is preferably formed withl fewer teeth than the ring or internal gear ||2 so that as the sleeve 35 revolves the spindle 38, the gear H0 rolling within the internal gear causes the spindle to creep or rotate at a very slow speed relative thereto. This relative speed may be increased by changing the ratio of the gear teeth formed on the gear ||0 and the ring or internal gear ||2. This construction facilitates a rapid planetary motion of the microlapping or abrading wheel 39 while at the same time producing a very slow relative rotation thereof.

A still further modification of the spindle drivingmeans has been illustrated in Figs. 6 and f1. A V-grooved pulley 5 is rotatably supported on the anti-friction bearing 16. Av collar or ring ||6 of V-shaped cross sectional area vwhich is preferably formed of a material such as commonly used in the construction of V-belts is mounted on the inner peripheral surface of an annular ring ||1. The collar ||6 is arranged to drivingly engage the V-groove of the pulley ||5 on one side of its peripheral surface. The collar or ring ||6 is preferably of a diameter to 'facilitate a planetary movement of the pulley ||5 as the sleeve 35 is revolved. The revolving of the pulley ||5 while in engagement with the annular V-shaped ring ||6 causes a frictional rotation at a very slow speed of the wheel spindle 38 so that the wheel 39 is rotated at a very slow rate of speed while it is moved in a planetary or orbital path at a comparatively fast speed. The annular ring |'I which supports the driving ring ||6 is preferably free to float -within the housing 60 and is held against rotation by means of a stud ||8 which engages a slot ||9 formed in the under face of the ring |li. Spaced symmetrically arranged springs |20, |2| and |22 are provided normally to hold the ring ||1 in a central position but are arranged to allow the ring I |1 to move laterally so as to produce the desired v frictional driving contact between the nonrotatable ring and the pulley ||5 as the sleeve 35 is rotated. The pulley ||5 is keyedl to the spindle 38 by means of a key |23 so that as the pulley ||5 is rotated' by being frictionally revolved in contact with the friction driving ring H6, a slow rotary movement will be imparted to the spindle 38. This drive facilitates a very slow rotation of the spindle 38 and the microlapping or abrading wheel 39 while it isbeing simultaneously moved in" a planetary or orbital path at al comparatively rapid rate of speed.

While the microlapping head Vshown in Fig. ll

has been illustrated as 'applicable to a plain eylindrical type grindingmachine, this type ofl 'portingA platen 3| which is supported and rotated by means of .fa spindle |32. The lappingv or microiinishing head is likewise equally applicable to the plane surface type machine in which a work piece having a plane surface to be n ished is mounted upon a reciprocatory work table.

A iluid pressure system has been provided for controlling. the admission of fluid to the cylinder 96. This uid pressure system has been illustrated diagrammatically in Fig. 9 and includes a iluid reservoir |33 which is preferably located within :the base of the machine. Fluid is pumped from the reservoir |33 through a pipe |34 by means of a motor driven uid pump |35 which forces uid through a pipe |36 to a manually operable four-way valve |31. In the position of the p'artsas illustrated in Fig. 9, fluid under pressure passing through the pipe |36 and valve |31 passes through the pipe |38 to the cylinder chamber abovethe piston 9| to cause a`downward movement of the piston to'shift the microlapping head 32 downwardly to move the wheel 39 into operative engagement with the work piece I0. During this movement, fluid within the Ecylinder chamber below the piston 9| exhausts through a pipe |39, the valve |31, and out through a pipe |40 into the reservoir |33. Similarly, when the rotor of the four-way valve i|31is turned one-quarter turn, fluid under pressure from the pipe |36 passes through the pipe |39 to the lower cylinder chamber to cause an upward movement of the piston 9| and the microlapping head 32 to move'it to an inoperative position. During this movement fluid within the upper cylinder chamber exhaustsv through Ythe pipe |38 and out through the valve |31 and pipe |40 into the reset-voir |33.

The operation of the finishing head will be readily apparent from the foregoing disclosure. Assuming the parts have been previously adjusted, the work piece is first ground by means of the rapidly rotating grinding wheel |1 by the usual cylindrical grinding operation, after which the 'grinding wheel |1 and its supporting slide l5 are moved rearwardly to an inoperative position. The electric motor 6| is then started and when the grinding wheel I1 is in its rearward..

position, the four-way valve |31 is shifted to admit fluid under pressure from the pump 36, through the pipe |36, the valve |31 and the pipe |38 to cause the piston 9| and the microlapping head 32 to move downwardly into an operative position with the lapping wheel 39 in operative engagement with the peripheral surface of the work piece l0. The lapping wheel 35-is rotated slowly'while it is revolved rapidly and the work piece is rotated and reciprocated until the work piece has been lapped to the desired and predetermined micronish, after which the fourway valve is shifted into the reverse position to raise the microlapping head 32 to an inoperative position. A f A It will thus be seen that there has been provided by this invention apparatus in which the various objects hereinabove set forth together with many thoroughly practical advantages are successfully achieved. As many possible em-` rotatable wheel spindle, an abrasive Wheel aasaoss an end flat face for abrading a work piece, a

rotatable vsleeve surrounding said spindle, errhead, driving connections between said motor and said sleeve to rotate the sleeve at a relatively iast speed, and means including driving connections between said motor and spindle to rotate said spindle at a relatively slow speed, said driving connections serving to produce a combin'ed rotary and planetary movement of said operative wheel to produce the desired lapping action.

2. A microlapping head having a vertical rotatable wheel spindle, a lapping wheel mounted on one end of said spindle and arranged topresent an end at face for lapping a workpiece, a rotatable sleeve surrounding said spindle, eccentrically arranged bearings in said sleeve to support said spindle with its axis eccentric relative-to the axis of said sleeve, means including a single electric motor on said head to impart a relatively fast rotary movement to said sleeve and a relatively slow rotary movement to said spindle to produce a combined planetary and rotary movement of the lapping wheel, means'to move said lapping head to and from an operative position, and an adjustable stop to locate the lapping head in a predetermined operative position.

3. A microlapping head having a vertical rotatable wheel spindle, a lapping wheel mounted on one end of said spindle and arranged to present an end at face for lapping a work piece, a rotatable sleeve surrounding said spindle, eccentrically arranged bearings in said sleeve to support said spindle with its axis eccentric relative to the axis of said sleeve, means including a driving motor on said head to impart a relatively fast rotary movement to said sleeve and a relatively slow rotary movement to said spindle to produce a combinedplanetary and rotary movement of the-lapping wheel, means including a piston and cylinder to move said head to and from an operative position, a control valve therefor, and

means including an adjustable stop to limit the movement of said piston so as to locate the head in aL predetermined operative position.

tive to the axis of said sleeve, a driving mechanism to impart a relatively fast rotary movement to said sleeve and a relatively slow rotary movement to said spindle to produce a combined planetary and rotary movement of the lapping wheel, means to move said head to and from an operative position, an adjustable stop to limit the movement of said head 'to locate the head in a predetermined operative position, and yieldable means interposed between the spindle and sleeve to maintain the lapping wheel in engagement with the work piece at the desired and predetermined pressure.

5. A microlapping head having a vertical rotatable wheel spindle, a.lapping wheel mounted on one end of said spindle and arranged to present -an end at face for lapping a work piece, a rotatable sleeve surrounding said spindle, eccentrically arranged bearings in said sleeve to support said spindle with its axis eccentric relanism to impart a relatively fast rotary movement to said sleeve and a relatively slow rotary movement to saidspindle to produce a combined planetary and rotary movement of the lapping wheel, means including a piston and cylinder to move said head to and from an operative position, a stop to linut the movement of said head in one direction so as to locate the head in a predetermined operative position, yieldable means interposed between the spindle and sleeve for maintaining the lapping wheel in engagement with the work piece under pressure. and means to adjust said yieldable means to vary the operative pressure of the lapping wheel on the work piece.

6. A microlapping head having a vertical rotatable wheel spindle, a lapping wheel mounted on 4 frictional driving member surrounding the latter member which is held stationary, said latter part serving during rotation of said sleeve to impart a slow rotary movement to said spindle as it moves in a planetary'path.

7. A microlapping head for a grinding machine having a vertical rotary wheel spindle, a

lapping wheel mounted on the end of said spindle and arranged to present an end flat 'face for lapping a work piece, a rotatable sleeve surrounding said spindle and arranged to support said spindle with the axis of the spindle eccentric relative to the axis of the sleeve, a motor driven mechanism to impart a relatively fast rotary movement to said' sleeve, a V-grooved pulley slidably keyed to said spindle, and a stationary annular ring of V-shaped cross sectional area surrounding said pulley and arranged to frictionally engage the groove of the pulley during the planetary movement of the wheel spindle when the sleeve is rotated to impart a slow rotary movement to said spindle.

8. A microlapping head for a grinding machine having a vertical rotary wheel spindle, a lapping wheel mounted on the end of said spindle` and arranged to present an end at face for lapping a work piece, a rotatable sleeve surrounding said spindle and arranged to support saidspindle with the axis of the spindle eccentric relative to the axis of the sleeve, a motor driven mechanism t0 impart a relatively fast rotary movement to said sleeve, a gear slidably keyed to vsaid spindle, an annular stationary ring gear surrounding said gear which `is arranged so as to impart a slow rotary movement to said spindle when the spindle is ,moved in a. planetary path due to the rapid rotary movement of said sleeve.

HERBERT-s. INDGE. 

